8/8/2015

I've been coming here for quite a while and they still have the best BBQ in town. I always get the ribs and they are delicious but when I tried the brisket and the pulled pork, OMG!!! It's like heaven was in my mouth. I love how you can get two different side dishes when you get the platter, but my favorite side dish would be their coleslaw.

I would always tell my friends to go here if they want some BBQ and they will not be disappointed. But I would suggest that you come in early because the line are always all the way out in the streets, but they are fast in getting your orders out. If you don't want to wait in line you van always call ahead and just eat it at home. You will still get to eat the best BBQ but at comforts of your home.

If ever someone from out of state comes and visit Chicago. Smoque is one of the places they should try. That is because they are the best!!!

8/3/2015

One of my favorite bbq joints in Chicago.  The ribs are always really good but the brisket is the real star.

Their pickup system is great and always great with nothing ever missing from my carry out order.

8/1/2015

Darling fiancé and I went on a whim one day while we were in the neighborhood for lunch. Surprisingly, there was not a wait at all! I like the whole chalkboard menu concept.. Makes for the fast time BBQ experience! Anyways, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and my babe ordered the brisket. We shared a Mac and cheese as well. The service was good and the food was up fast! The Mac and cheese is unforgettable! It was so so yummy! I'm happy I don't live in the neighborhood or I'd be a lot heavier as a result of frequent visits for that reason alone. The pork and brisket were tender and the bbq sauce was on point.

I know it may seem trivial, but I judge a BBQ place heavily on their coleslaw and theirs was on point! Very fresh tasting without having too much mayo, etc.

We will definitely be back :)

7/14/2015

I love BBQ and I cook KCBS Competition BBQ I've been to a lot of the top places in this country. Franklin's in Austin, Memphis BBQ Co, Lockhart TX and eaten at the big three so when I say this I have the credentials to back it up. This is one of the top 5 places I've been to. I say this because most places do one or two things good but the other are not. Example the Brisket in TX is amazing but they do a bad job at pork ribs. Memphis does good pork but bad Brisket so on and so on. But here at Smoque they did everything well.

Brisket Excellent
Ribs Excellent
TX Sausage, is very similar to the Lockhart style sausage
Beans are just like OK Joes and they are some of the best in the world.
Pork, good
Corn Bread is a can't miss

7/6/2015 Updated review

I really do enjoy this place. I think it a really good deal for some quick tasty barbecue. I must say that it is not my favorite BBQ spot but it is definitely close to it. Here's what I ordered last time I was there:

// St. Louis Full Rack - $20.95 - Theses ribs are so tasty. They have a pretty decent amount of meat on them. They are very soft and tender. It is REALLY hard for me to decide which one I prefer: St Louis or Baby back ribs. The baby back ribs are smaller and more curved. They are a bit sweeter. But the St Louis are more straight on the bone and have a little bit more meat. Not as sweet. I would recommend you get some with a friend and split the two.

// Added Sliced Brisket - $5 - This brisket was pretty good but it was a little bit dry. Then there was a time I went back to smoque and the brisket was delicious. So I think it depends on the day, so I would maybe steer you away from getting this due to its inconsistency. I mean if you are hungry, then get it! ha.

this is definitely a spot to hit up while you are in Chicago. And Also if you are up north, it helps.  :)

• 
• 

  St Louis full slab. (There are stack on top of each other

  St Louis full slab. (There are stack on top of each other

7/9/2015

My friend and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to Smoque BBQ which has been on our list since we moved here. On a late Friday night around 9, we walked in to a busy, homey joint eager for barbecue. We scanned the menu and walked straight to the counter to order. I got 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs with cole slaw and Mac n cheese (felt like the perfect portion to me) and she got a 1/3 rack of Baby Back ribs with fries and Mac n cheese (hers came with cole slaw).

As we settled down to the picnic like tables, we realized the cramped venue was BYOB. People brought in their own beer and even hard liquor and everyone looked very cheery and comfortable! Our food came shortly after and we of course had to take a first bite of the Mac n cheese - holy cheese gods! The flavors and creaminess of this BBQ side staple were absolutely heavenly and though the silver tin it came in was tiny, I was so excited to gobble down the whole thing. But, I have this thing where I like to save the best for last so I moved on to try the cole slaw. The cole slaw was a downer, not a lot of wetness and too peppery for me. Alas! But the crunchiness of the cabbage was a good complement to everything else. My friend's fries came in a huge portion. They were seasoned well, but felt too heavy for a bbq side in my opinion.

Next, the ribs! Man oh man, it's been so long since I've had ribs and they were phenomenal. I cleaned each rib to the bone. Each rib was so meaty and flavorful and the 1/4 rack was perfect! My friends 1/2 baby rack ribs were much smaller (not sure the appeal of baby back over St. Louis?). The ribs came with a small cup of the St. Louis sauce and I wasn't a fan of this sauce actually. It was more tangy than I would prefer. If I were to compare Q BBQ with Smoque, Q would definitely win the sauce category with their variety and unlimited quantities. Since I had brisket at Q, I can't compare the meats, but both had me blown away!

After some time, I was ready to finish up my macaroni. I was devastated to find that it got cold and the creaminess kind of curdled. TIP: eat yo mac n cheese right away

Because Smoque BBQ is rather far away, I see myself going to Q BBQ over Smoque. If it was closer, you better believe I'd be a regular for this top-notch Chicago barbecue!

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  My friends baby back ribs... So much smaller

  My friends baby back ribs... So much smaller
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  Mama would be proud of how cleaned up these bones are ^_^

  Mama would be proud of how cleaned up these bones are ^_^
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  A perfect portion! 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs and two sides. Next time pass on the cole slaw but never pass on the Mac n cheese!

  A perfect portion! 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs and two sides. Next time pass on the cole slaw but never pass on the Mac n cheese!

5/12/2015

Best BBQ place in the city.

The space is small for how popular it is.  You usually wait in a line during peak hours and you'll have to stake out for a spot to sit at.  However it's all worth it when you bite down into your BBQ.

Their BBQ brisket and BBQ chicken are so delicious!  I don't have any idea about the science behind smoking but whatever it is they have it down.  Their chicken, ribs, and brisket are always nice and moist (literally falls off the bone).  All their food has a nice and delicious hickory, woody, smokey taste.

Their sauces and their sides are just as great.  While I normally think homemade BBQ sauce is vinegary I think Smoque's is not vinegary at all.  My favorite is their hot sauce, I can put that thing on everything.  

But their sides... wow!  Unfortunately for other BBQ places in the city, when I think of BBQ sides I always compare others' to Smoque's.  The cornbread, the mac and cheese, the cole slaw, the peach cobbler, the fries... it's all so good.  You won't go wrong anyway so try them all.  

They are BYOB so it makes for a nice evening if you're able to sit outside.  Be prepared to eat and leave though, this is not a sit and hang out type of place.

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  Smoked chicken breast, Cole slaw, peach cobbler, Mac and cheese, and hot sauce. Yum!

  Smoked chicken breast, Cole slaw, peach cobbler, Mac and cheese, and hot sauce. Yum!

7/8/2015

There isn't much that I could say in my review that differs from the other 3,000 reviews haven't covered, but I am just going to reiterate the fact that the baby back ribs are f***ing amazing.  

A couple days prior to my visit at Smoque my fiance had found out that I never eaten any ribs...ever!  I know, okay, it's very strange that I've lived in one of the greatest cities for food (BBQ especially) and have never eaten ribs.  It's not like I had some outrageous grudge against them - they've just eluded me.  But no longer!  I went to Smoque with my fiance and we split a full slab of those baby back, baby back, baby back ribs and they could not have been any better!  If you haven't had the pleasure of trying ribs before then THIS is the one and only place that should be your introduction to the phenom that is a baby back rib.  Even if you have eaten ribs before then you still need to go to Smoque.  It was televised on the Food Network for a reason guys!  The ribs really are that good!  The meat is some of the most tender I've tasted in a long time and you can rip it off the bone so easily.  Indulge your inner carnivore!  Besides the tenderness of the meat, the ribs also have a smoky-sweet flavor that couldn't possibly get any tastier.  Sure, the ribs are somewhat expensive, especially if you order a full slab instead of a half slab, but don't use that as an excuse not to get any.  You're not going to be eating ribs every week so you can afford a splurge on some noteworthy ribs once in a while.  They are worth every dollar you spend on them, I guarantee that!

The ribs do come with two sides so we ordered the BBQ beans and the cornbread.  I will say that the sides are not the best I've had and in fact the cornbread seemed a little stale, but regardless of this the sides were not bad by any mean.  To put it simply, they just were not my favorite.  What the sides lacked, though, the meat made up for.  I'm serious - the ribs were glorious.  That is what you're going there for anyways.  

Just keep in mind that your stomach is going to have to rumble for about a half an hour to an hour because of the long line.  Yes, I know that long lines are quite annoying to deal with but take it as an indication of how good the meat is there.  Luckily for you, Smoque is a BYOB so you can bring a beer for that long wait you will surely have to endure.  

Also, a sidenote, just know what you want to order way before you get to the counter because it will make the process much quicker for you and for everyone else that also has to wait in line.  It's just a courtesy thing.  I'm sure that the employees will appreciate that more as well!  Keep in mind that they are extremely swamped for the entire time that they are working; despite this they are still extremely friendly!

Oh!  Oh!  One last tip - it says that Smoque closes at 9 pm, but they actually lock their doors around 8:45 pm so that they don't have a line out the door at 9 pm.  If you can get there earlier than that is better - you don't want to run the risk of not getting in!  They do close it a little earlier because it takes a while to actually cook the meat.  

Again, this is definitely the go-to place for all your rib first-timers like myself!  Who am I kidding though?  This is a go-to place for anyone that loves BBQ!

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  Full slab of baby back ribs, corn bread, bbq beans and peach cobbler

  Full slab of baby back ribs, corn bread, bbq beans and peach cobbler

5/29/2015

Finally made it to Smoque last week & this place did not disappoint!  I was warned to get there early and by 5:45pm on a Friday, the line was already forming. I had to wait about 10 minutes to order and was quickly seated.  The staff does a nice job of finding a spot for you to sit, letting you know when you're number is called, and clearing trash away for the next guests.

The food was the real highlight though. I opted for the chopped brisket plate with a choice of 2 sides and slaw for ~$14. The portion of meat was substantial and I had plenty to take home. The meat is definitely the center piece at Smoque, with all meats served with two sauces on the side.  Meats are paired with specific sauces that complement the cuts and flavorings of the dish and I enjoyed the contrast of the two sauces that came with my meal - one was a thick and creamy mesquite sauce and the other was a brisket-specific, vinegar based sauce. Both were tasty! I hoped the brisket would compete with the likes of some of the Austin BBQ I've tried, but it didn't quite get there. A pretty solid Chicago alternative, but I've still gotta make the trek to ATX the best of brisket country.

Lots of sides to choose from but I went with the mac & cheese and the fries. The mac & cheese was decadent, with just the right amount of cheese flavor.  The small portion left me wanting more, and I later saw other customers choose mac & cheese for both of their sides to make up for it (what a great idea!).  The fries were served hot and fresh in a small brown paper bag and were plenty to share with a friend.  Portion-wise, the fries were the better deal.

The place is BYOB (except for the patio, which is a bummer) & totally surprised me! They would still have quite the crowd without the added bonus of bringing your own booze, but I happily spent all the extra dough I saved on treating myself to a hot peach cobbler.

Can't wait to go back and try more of the cuts of meat and sides!

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  Chopped Brisket

  Chopped Brisket
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  Mac & Cheese

  Mac & Cheese
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  Peach Cobbler $3

  Peach Cobbler $3

5/20/2015

I got 5 (stars) on it!!

This place is awesome.  It can get crowded, but they do a great job of keeping things orderly with the seating, the line, etc.  Great job on the execution of that.

The meat was delicious.  The brisket, the pulled pork and the ribs were all excellent.  The brisket was the best in my opinion.  I also suggest the fries as a side.  They are tasty and they give you a ton.  I do not recommend the beans.  I just didn't like them.  The mac and cheese was good, but it was small.  The cornbread was also good, but small.

They have byob, I repeat byob.  Just bring in whatever you have and go to town.

I thought the prices were reasonable on all fronts, but when you figure in that you can byob, the value goes up exponentially.

The girl working the cash register was nice and answered all the questions I had both times I went.  Yes, there were two visits to smoque during the trip to Chicago...

Yes that is a 750ml bottle. It went down!

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  I told you i made two visits

  I told you i made two visits
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  Bbq!

  Bbq!

7/2/2015

Loved this place, stopped here before I had to fly out. Ordered the 1/2 slab of baby back ribs. My two sides were the brisket chili, fries, and it already comes with slaw. These ribs were the best I have ever had. I didn't even need bbq sauce. Just ate it dry, meat just fell right off the bones. Loved the way they smoked the ribs, flavor was bursting. Chili was excellent, and fries were great. Their slaw was good, but may take time to get used to it. Overall experience was more then expected. Would love to come back if I'm ever in town again!

4/17/2015

So hungry and excited to try one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago, my friends and I stopped here for lunch and drinks. It's BYOB so we brought a few bottles of Stella to accompany our ribs. Between 4 people, we shared 2 racks of ribs, a platter of beef brisket, and a platter of pulled pork + sides (mac & cheese, fries, and a salad. Total was $50ish. The food came out pretty fast and we digged in (after a few pictures for social medias).

The baby back ribs were dry rubbed and I did not enjoy it as much as Pappy's in St. Louis or Phil's in San Diego, CA. But my friend, who is an expert in ribs and he loves dry rubbed, loved the ribs here. The meat is good but the meat didn't fall off as easily and not as tender. You do get to dip into different sauces that are available and each one has a subtle difference.

The sides aren't unique and nothing stood out.

The beef briskets were super tender and just melts in your mouth. I think that was my favorite part of the meal. The pulled pork was seasoned pretty well, but it's nothing amazing.

I guess I failed to see what got all the other 3000 people to think that this place is amazing...

Street parking is fairly easy to find and it's free!

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  Beef brisket top left, pulled pork bottom left, 2 slabs of ribs

  Beef brisket top left, pulled pork bottom left, 2 slabs of ribs

5/6/2015

3.2/5

I found this place due to all the amazing yelp reviews, but I was not as impressed as I thought I would be. The St. Louis ribs & the brisket was tender, but the sauces were just "okay". The sauce really makes or breaks the meal. The sides were small, but the fries were plenty. The peach cobbler was also my favorite part of the meal. If only they include a scoop of vanilla ice cream, that would really hit the spot. The service was amazing though. The server was very attentive. We were very pleased. I also love when parking is free. Just park along the roads nearby.

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  Half rack of St. Louis ribs & taste of brisket with peach cobbler, Mac & cheese, fries, & coleslaw

  Half rack of St. Louis ribs & taste of brisket with peach cobbler, Mac & cheese, fries, & coleslaw

6/17/2015

Carryout Review: Great BBQ for a good price, Smoque is some good classic eatin!

The good: Great tasting food all around. The variety was fantastic, a little bit of everything. Pulled pork and chili were the highlights for me personally, but everything tasted really good. There was even peach cobbler, which was fantastic. Great value. For catering, they packaged very well.

The bad: The baked beans tasted like plastic and were terrible. The meat was too dry for my taste.

Atmosphere: N/A
Service: N/A
Food: 8/10

3/21/2015

2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)

The 2 Meat Platter served w/ Slaw and 2 Sides

a la Carte - $8.95

w/ Slaw & 2 Sides - $12.45

Yes, it's another BBQ Joint; you're best not to get tired of BBQ here... If so, I feel bad for ya! Here at Smoque, you can expect an absolute line out the door, so be sure to get here no later than 11am if you want a seat.

The atmosphere is the a-typical BBQ joint. Small, not much for seating and the main focus being the fantastic Q! Which in my honest opinion is pretty rockin'. Keep the atmosphere, just give me good food!

As seen on Triple D's Real Deal BBQ, it is the Real Deal and Smoque lives up to it. So if you're in the Chicago area and you're looking for the "best of the best" BBQ, stop by Smoque and get it!

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  2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)

  2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)

7/4/2015

Love this place. 2nd time going figure i give a review

Parking: Street and lot. Place can get crowded so hopefully not too bad for ya. I never had a problem but luck goes a long way. Free btw

Scene:  can get crowded with lines looped through the establishment. Place can accommodate enough but its not the biggest place. Has a bbq line order feel with more lively vibe if that makes sense. Casual atmosphere overall.

Service: Nice enough for a place like this. Someone leads you to the order line, gives you a ticket, you order, once you are served they show you your seat to eat. Simple enough but could imagine witha large party this being mildly troubling oh well. Everyone one is nice. No issues

Food: I order the bean spicy chili, mac n cheese, and chicken BBQ. Portion size are a lil on the small side for the side dishes wish is a let down but the taste makes up for it. Everything is fresh, hot, and packs great taste. I'd recommend each dish I mentioned.

Overall: If you need a bbq fix can't go wrong with place. Small portions and long line but its worth it especially if youve never been. Cheers

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  Chili, Mac n Cheese, Chicken BBQ @ Smoque. Yum!

  Chili, Mac n Cheese, Chicken BBQ @ Smoque. Yum!

6/17/2015 Updated review

I'm pleased to report the fries are back to their former stellar quality. The brisket is still the best choice in my opinion.  

Tip - No alcohol is allowed on the outdoor patio so if you BYOB (as in booze), you'll need to sit inside. You'll be closer to the candied jalapenos anyway so no big deal.

6/17/2015

Disclaimer: I haven't been to the actual location. During my 4 years working at Ticketmaster between 2009-2013, we used to always have Smoque catered and that's where I fell in love with it.

Their mac n cheese is simply the best. Hands down, it's the best I've ever had. I don't really need to say anything else about it. If you go to Smoque, order the mac n cheese one way or another.

Their BBQ is absolutely phenomenal. The brisket and pulled pork are some of the best I've ever had and personally think they're the most tender and delicious in the city. I recommend the platters, however I've never tried the sandwiches and would imagine as long as the meat is the same, they're probably just as good.

This place doesn't need a long and drawn out review. It's some of the best BBQ around, and I'm not just talking Chicago.

7/16/2015

I've only had Smoque catering, so I can't speak for the service or ambiance, but the food - wowwee! I had a pulled pork sandwich, BBQ chicken, corn bread, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and bourbon-pecan bread pudding.

THE GOOD:
- The pulled pork was tender and juicy, and tasted phenomenal on the sandwich. There were several sauce options, so naturally, I poured all of them on my sandwich.
- The coleslaw wasn't too mayo-y, and added a really nice and refreshing component to the meal
- The mac and cheese was truly out of this world. Smooth and creamy, not too salty, jam-packed with flavor
-  THE BREAD PUDDING OH MY GOD OH  MY GOD. I wouldn't say that this is a traditional bread pudding - because it's not - and so it cannot be directly compared with those fresh from the South, but that's what makes this so amazing. It tastes like a pecan pie with a bourbon kick, with the soft and smooth texture of a bread pudding on the inside, with a pie-like textured crust. Different, but in a great way!

MEH:
- The chicken was fine. Nothing special. Kind of plain - the flavor didn't seep into the middle.
- The corn bread was not sweet or spicy enough. It was very bland and a waste of calories. The only positive was the little pieces of corn in the mix - they were delightful.

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  Pulled pork sandwich, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw remnants, BREAD PUDDING (my mouth is watering as I type!)

  Pulled pork sandwich, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw remnants, BREAD PUDDING (my mouth is watering as I type!)

3/2/2015

20-25 min wait at 6pm on a Saturday night is not bad for this place. They have a good system of seating and ordering.

The food is pretty darn great.
-Rib Combo. I can't say if the baby back ribs are necessarily better than the St Louis. They are just 2 versions and both are good. (I prefer baby back)
-Pulled pork - no need for additional bbq sauce. it's just great on it's on.
-sliced brisket - this was falling apart in a good way :)
- I actually like their coleslaw! - cuz it has no mayo...vinegar based. almost inspired me to figure out their recipe.

I like that the bbq sauce containers tells you which sauce to use for which meat. That was useful

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  Meat madness

  Meat madness

6/9/2015

This place is barbeque heaven. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich. The brisket was juicy and absolutely perfect. I love that we were given a side of two different barbeque sauces (smoky and sweeter). It came with cole slaw and a side.  When it comes to the sides, we only tried the mac and cheese and fries...both were delicious.

The place got pretty crowded (it was early afternoon), so we snagged a table on the patio. Definitely sit outside if you can! It just adds to the barbecue experience.

I'm excited to go back to Smoque and try some of their pulled pork!

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  Brisket sandwich

  Brisket sandwich

8/12/2015

Meat is so juicy it falls off the bone (well flavored). the flavor is great. I love this place. Waiting in line for 30 mins on Father's Day but well worth it!!

8/12/2015

This might be the only place where I can say everything is good here. I've tried like 80% of the menu and it's all tasty. I've tried many great BBQ places in the south and this little place in Chicago rivals all of them. I guess that's not a surprise since this place has a nod from Michelin. My favorites are the pulled pork and brisket. I also really like that the menu is a la Carte, it makes for tasting various things easier. I first came here with a large group for a birthday party. They don't take reservations but the staff was kind enough to help seat our large party; very good service overall. I love this place and I will keep coming here and recommending that everyone should come here as well.

7/15/2015

Joint is overrated. Hard to believe that people will stand in line 40+ minutes for the dried-out chicken, oil-soaked fries, overly sweet BBQ'ed beans, flavorless slaw, and dried out cornbread I had last night on my first and likely last visit to Smoque. You know the feeling of disappointment when you blow your week's diet on something rich and decadent that doesn't even taste that good? Exactly.

But if you and your loud unruly children love small portions of mediocre food served on cafeteria trays in an obnoxiously loud, alcohol-free setting, go for it!

6/8/2015

A really hole in the wall kinda place, it is infamous for its BBQ there is always a line but it's a Byob, so brings a glass of your favourite wine/spirit along and wait your turn

The staff is friendly and alert, we ordered the ribs they were tasty but slightly dry would have liked them juicer. Our friend got the brisket which was super tender an tasty.
The Cole slow is made with vinegar and pepper which is light and delicious

You get a table to still within a short wait, must try!!

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  Ribs

  Ribs
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  Yum town..!!

  Yum town..!!

7/29/2015

Luckily, I always seem to miss the ridiculously long lines here.  I've been here a few times now and I always at least get the brisket as part of my meal.  The pulled pork is good, but I've always preferred some good smoked brisket.  I've had the brisket chopped and sliced and I personally prefer it sliced.  I like to see how juicy the meat is and the defined smoke ring near the edges whereas when it's chopped, the consistency is more like shredded beef.  Smoque's sliced brisket is definitely top 3 in Chicago.

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  Sliced and chopped brisket sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese and Coleslaw

  Sliced and chopped brisket sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese and Coleslaw

8/9/2015

As a Texas native, I didn't have high hopes. But oh my goodness is the brisket good here! I'm so relieved I found a place where I can get true Southern brisket!

7/13/2015

This might be the unicorn of reviews for this establishment but it's honest. I saw Smoque featured on the Food Network and told my family we had to try it. There was 10 of us, and we had a big table. The staff was really attentive. The food was just okay. I was not impressed with the barbecue. The ribs were okay. The seasoning was bland. Mediocre at best. Honestly just drive to Kansas City, Tennessee or other barbecue capitals to get the real stuff. Chicago should just stick to the pizza, beef and hot dogs, and leave the barbecue to the pros.

12/17/2014

In Chicago for the day seeking a lunch spot to fill and plump us up to fight the chill.  Hubs and I tend to hit DDD spots while traveling and he LOVES BBQ... So I cross checked the Flavortown recs against 2800 glowing Yelp reviews...and Smoque seemed like a clear choice for lunch.

Just a heads up for newbies like us -- you have to order *then* you get a seat.  They keep it moving in here and it was basically PACKED at 11:15 when we arrived.

Here is what we ordered:
Brisket platter (chopped, no bun) with fries and smoked baked beans
1/2 Chicken Platter with mac & cheese, brisket chili, slaw x2 (stolen from hubs)
Added a "taste" of St. Louis ribs for $6
Total for tons of food + 2 sodas = $37.67

The star of the show at Smoque had to be the baked beans.  They actually put these beans in the smoker, and you can totally taste it.  However, should I return to a BBQ joint for the baked beans alone?  Hmmmm...

The mac & cheese was good -- there was just not a whole lot of it.  (Spoken like a true carb addict and mac and cheese lover, I know.)  It is baked with a crumb top -- served in its own disposable foil ramekin.  Tasty.  Especially with a little hot BBQ sauce added.  Yum.  Chicken (white meat) was remarkably not dried out, but not super juicy either -- Hubs said the dark meat was better.  Ribs were not fall-off-the-bone tender, but had a good taste for a dry rub.  Didn't really even need sauce for these.

The down sides for me: first off -- the slaw.  It was simple -- just big long chunks of grated green cabbage and grated red onion...but that's it.  Luckily I could navigate around the chunks of onion (so my husband could bear to spend the rest of the day with me) and the dressing they used actually ended up saving the day...otherwise this would have been a total miss in my opinion.  
Secondly, I wanted the brisket chili to be so.much.more. than it was.  The hub's pulled brisket was tasty, so I hoped the chili would be too.  Sad Panda.

Let me say this -- if the hubs was writing this review, it would have been given 10+ stars.  He LOVED this place.  I *liked* it  and can see going back to try some other offerings.  Perhaps the hype and my expectations were too high... or I just regret not getting the Bread Pudding with Bourbon sauce.  Either way, we may give it another shot in the future -- but there are just SO many options in Chicago.

• 

  Our spread...

  Our spread...
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  I can smell the smoke from here.

  I can smell the smoke from here.
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  Menu of meaty goodness.

  Menu of meaty goodness.

7/10/2015

Looking for some good BBQ in the Chicago area? This is definitely the place. Looking for a nice dining experience? Do yourself a favor and order take out here. First of all, I truly don't understand BYOB in establishments with the type of business Smoque does. The line through the dining area is ridiculous as well. After all the wait you get to sit in an overcrowded dining room. I ordered the baby back ribs with all the meat sides. It was all delicious. Almost made me forget that I had to practically rub elbows with the guy next to me.

7/19/2015

We ordered the full rack of St. Louis rack with Mac and cheese  and fries as the the side. Also the bbq gumbo and sliced beef brisket sandwich. All delicious! Definitely will come back again.

5/4/2015

I must this place is pretty good! I wish the expand more because this venue is so small to serve all the hungry customers that want to check this place out or come back for some more. The wait is really long but worth the try. I waited 30 min for a table when I was hungry maybe I should have been warned to come in before I start getting super hungry. Everything was good and I will definitely come back for some more!

7/29/2015

Went here based on reviews.  Overrated but good.  Ill start with the worst thing.   The baked beans taste like you swallowed a campfire.  They were unedible.  They have a soda fountain way in the corner that we didn't see.  When I asked what they had to drink they pointed to this case filled with 12oz. sodas that were over almost $4 after tax.  We went there at 6pm so not late to avoid dried out bbq.  So I ordered the brisket.  Dry as a bone.  Glad I had the sauce to dip it in.  The mac and cheese was awesome but about as much as an ice cream scoop and they charge $2.95 a la carte for it.  The service was great except the counter worker forgot a side on both of our orders.  I wonder how many people realize they are missing a side with how busy it is.  Ill go again but I'll try the ribs since they looked great.

7/30/2015

My boyfriend and I heard about the restaurant from reading a Buzzfeed article about things to do while visiting Chicago. Out of all the places we ate during our trip,  the food here was definitely the most memorable. It was over a hour away from where we were staying but there were no regrets.
Between the two of us we tried the baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, slaw, macaroni, beans, fries, cornbread muffin, and pecan bread pudding. The ribs appeared to look burnt but I kid you not the meat literally fell off of the bone and there was absolutely no burnt charcoal taste. The brisket was tender and delicious. The pull pork was full of flavor yet didn't have any big gross chunks of fat.
The slaw comes with each meal, it wasn't anything special but it wasn't awful by any means. The fries were done nicely and the cornbread tasted like cornbread. The real good sides was definitely the macaroni and the beans. The macaroni was covered in bread crumb crust and baked perfectly. The sauce was creamy and cheesey as it should. The beans were covered in a sweeter bbq sauce and cooked to perfection.  
Last but not least the pecan bread pudding was an absolutely must! Neither of us typically like bread pudding but it was cheap and we decided it was worth the try. It had a sweet burbon caramel sauce and covered in candied pecans. The pudding itself had a more cake texture which I really enjoyed. Despite being stuffed, we spent time really debating buying more to go.
Overall, the experience was great. The atmosphere was really comfortable and the restaurant had a lot of character and life to it. The service was great despite it being extremely busy. Definitely not the place to go if you want fine dining because it's more of a cross between fast food and dining. Really cannot emphasize how great the food was.

7/1/2015

Very very good barbecue!!! the brisket is just amazing! moist, crispy outside. the best part of this place is that the food is lean!!! the plate stays clean, not full of oul and still the meat is tender. plus, the cole slaw is perhaps the best I ever had. Ribs are good but nothing crazy. And they give you plenty of gooood fries!!!

6/14/2015

There's nothing special about the barbeque. We waited longer to actually place our order than to be seated or get our food. For the price we paid I expected a better atmosphere. Even being served water at the table would have made the visit better.

The staff was nice but it doesn't make up for mediocre bbq and a bland atmosphere.

8/7/2015

My friends and I wanted to go to this because of all the reviews, and the place lived up to the expectations. Just a quick caution, it's not a sit down restaurant and the line was kinda long but the food was just awesome!!!

10/24/2014

I am a BBQ person.  I'm always looking to find places outside of TX that are doing it right.  I heard Smoque was one of those places.

Tried the 3 meat sampler.  While at the counter I was distracted when I was told I was given some extra meat for free and didn't catch one of the gals who sauced my plate.  I couldn't be mad though, I mean free meat and all...

Brisket - great bark and flavor, fat was rendered perfect.  It's rare to find brisket like this out of TX, nice job.

Ribs- it's hard for me to judge them with the sauce.  They weren't sliced to that made it a little messier but overall they were good.  Not overdone either.  Great flavor.

Pulled pork - I have to admit I was pretty full by the time I got here.  It was good but nothing stood out for me.

Would definitely go back.  4.5 rounded up.

• 

  meat trifecta!

  meat trifecta!

8/7/2015

Yes! This place is excellent! Service is quick even when busy. Not a lot of seating. This is byob with no problems! A bit pricey but the food quality matches the prices!!! Everything is good here. We had the ribs, pork, and brisket. My mouth is watering just writing this review. Thank you smoque!!!

7/5/2015

I rarely almost never give a 5 so you have to know this place was good.  After the wait it's all downhill.  Yes I arrived and the line was out the door on an 85 degree day.  

The service was good.  The atmosphere is casual barbecue like.  And the food is off the chain good.  The hot food is hot and the cool/cold food is cool/cold.  The cole slaw has a light non mayonnaise dressing so that you can actually taste the slaw.  The ribs come bare and piping hot cooked to perfection with a side of barbecue sauce for those who needs.  I ate them both ways and the ribs were good.  They had a slight smoked flavor but they were tender and flavorful without overpowering the meet.

I can't wait to get back to this restaurant and I am not even a barbecue person.  This place was great.  And I say that even after the wait and driving to get to this spot.  Worth it all.

10/20/2014

Nothing says promising quite like a large framed picture of Guy Fieri on the wall (....sike).

Luckily what Smoque does get right is their meats. The brisket is phenomenal, maybe even the best sliced brisket I've ever had. It was incredibly tender, almost feeling unnaturally soft as I poked my fork into it. The ribs probably appeal most to those that don't eat their barbecue with a preference. I'm no barbecue connoisseur, but cooking the meat with a dry rub seems to make the meat a little tougher than what I'm used to down in Southern California. It still packs in a lot of flavor, but I prefer my ribs a little more tender.

The sides are honestly mediocre to "pretty good" at best. The mac and cheese/the fries that I stole from a buddy were probably the top contenders. The brisket chili and coleslaw were kind of a letdown; the coleslaw being almost bland and the brisket chili not bringing anything new to the table.

This place gets packed in waves, so hopefully you don't get swept in with the crowd. Definitely add on the brisket for an extra $5, you'll be glad you did.

5/13/2015

* SMOQUE BBQ *

An excellent BBQ spot that I first saw on Diners,Drive-In's & Dives.

Everything is made from scratch, quality ingredients.

I had cornbread, Mac-n-cheese,BBQ brisket beans,brisket chili & BRISKET( a deep and rich smoke flavored brisket that is moist and tender )
You can order it in a platter or as a sandwich.

My friends ordered the RIBS & Turkey ( stole a bite of each )

OUTSTANDING!!!

• 

  RIBS,beans & slaw

  RIBS,beans & slaw
• 

  BBQ Brisket!

  BBQ Brisket!

6/21/2015

We went for father's day. This place has 5 star Service and more importantly 5 star food. I got the half and half dinner. Sandwich and half slab rib. The sandwich  I was able to get half pulled pork and half brisket. The pulled pork was absolutely  spot on! Did not need the extra  bbq sauce given, this can stand on it's own feet. The brisket was very good. It was soft and cooked right. The ribs...wow. done right. Soft inside a little  crispy outside. Absolutely solid! The cornbread was made like mom made. My kids through down the mac n cheese. The brisket Chile was good.  Not the best item on the menu when the meat courses are superior. I would recommend like a cinnamon apple sauce or cinnamon apple mix.

The service have to say is pressive. The guys helping on the floor will assist and take care of you. Just ask nicely  and they will get it for you.

I have to say it may not look like much. But this place is a neighborhood gem. We will absolutely be back for more. Next time, not a weekend or evening. It was packed. But one of the most worth the waits I will have to say!

6/26/2015

If you are looking for a casual, laid back atmosphere with expertise cooking you the best barbecue as close as it get to anywhere in the country's best barbecue then Smoque hits the spot.

These guys are so good they were on Diners Drive in and Dives, they quit their comfy corporate jobs and hit the road eating the best barbecue around the country and once they got back home they add their own flavors to the best in St. Louis, Texas and the Carolinas.

I'm pretty much a fan of all their dishes but what i love the most is the Cole Slaw and Baked Beans with a Brisket Sandwich. Stick a fork in me, I'm done!

10/28/2014

Had some Smoque today.  Have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I think I am almost ready for a let down when eating brisket outside of Texas. This time that let down wasn't that big, almost none existent.

Let's start with the brisket. Taste really good.  Bark pretty good.  Smoke ring really couldn't tell the was much of one.  Texture of the meat wad lacking a little bit as well as the color.  Perusal this was really good tasting brisket.  Some of the best I have had outside of Texas.  That is saying a lot coming from a bbq snob like myself.

Next up ribs.  St. Louis style. Good taste,  good smoke ring.  Just a little tough to get from the bone.  Might have came off the smoke to early.  

Sausage was good but it's shipped from Texas not made in house.

Sides,  liked the brisket chili and the bbq beans.  The beans were a little different from the usual but we're good.  The slaw I will pass as i didn't enjoy.

Lastly the sauce.  They have two both were good.  I actaully enjoyed the vinegar based sauce. Which is not the norm for me. But this que doesn't really need the sauce.  Which in my opinion is the best compliment you can give a pitmaster.  

This is a definite recommended stop if you love bbq. And if I am correct might even fit in to the bottom end of my top ten.

• 

  Brisket Chili, yes baked beans different but yes, slaw not so much

  Brisket Chili, yes baked beans different but yes, slaw not so much
• 

  St. Louis style ribs, good but did not pull from the bone well

  St. Louis style ribs, good but did not pull from the bone well
• 

  Really good brisket, just missing out on being great

  Really good brisket, just missing out on being great
• See all photos from Michael M. for Smoque BBQ

3/17/2015

Ok, so this place is almost at 3,000 reviews and it's averaged 4.5 stars. You are CRAZY if you don't try this place.

It's not as conveniently in downtown but if you have time or you just happen to be on the Blue Line going to or from O'Hare Airport, I DEFINITELY recommend you make a stop. It's a really short walk from the Irving Park station.

Came here on Tuesday night and was lucky that there was hardly any people in line. The guys attending the dining room area were super friendly. Great customer service. I wish I wasn't by myself so I could have tried everything. Had the opportunity to try the Mac & Cheese, Sliced Brisket, Pulled Pork, Corn Bread and Slaw. SERIOUSLY! SOME OF THE BEST BBQ I'VE EVER HAD! And no shame, but I even enjoyed my cold leftovers in my hotel room lol I recommend everything. I wish I could have tried the ribs and cobbler. The BBQ sauces were so delish. They give you two types. This place is everything you imagined would be for the best hole in the wall place you've ever been to is. You gotta try it!

10/27/2014

We went to Smoque on a Saturday night for dinner with KT and BS.  The place was very busy is not really set up to handle their fame.  Their system works well in that a host gets your order number and when a table comes available he seats you and puts your order in.  This works, but in the meantime you really have no place to wait.  You end up standing in awkward places between tables and in what aisles there are.  We did have a fairly long wait, although it may have just seemed that way.  I think I would try another night of the week, but who knows, it may be the same.

To sample, I ordered a chopped brisket sandwich and for Ms T I ordered pulled pork.  I also got a half slab of back ribs and some slaw.  KT and BS had a rack of ribs with mac and cheese and slaw.

The ribs were probably 3-1/2 stars.  Pretty good flavor and a nice rub.  They were not intensely smoky although they are very dark.  This is how dark my ribs at home looked when I did not realize how hot my smoker was running.  I have since fixed that problem.  I suspect they are smoking all of their meat too hot because it is all really black but not exceptionally smoky.  The ribs on this occasion also were a little overdone.  You can see a lot of white bone in the photos that you should not see.  I'm sure there is day to day and rack to rack variability but this kept my appraisal short of four stars or better.  Certainly they are worth trying again.

I ordered chopped brisket in self-defense.  Lately when ordering brisket outside of Texas, it has been underdone and you can't eat it on a sandwich without pulling it all off with the first bite.  So chopped was my choice to pre-empt this experience.  I appreciate that they offer this choice.  I suspect they provide the chopped option as a way to use the ends and pieces that don't make nice slices.  That is not a bad thing, you get a lot of outside meat and consequently a lot of smoke and bark flavor.  This was a good sandwich, much larger than I wanted.  Because the bun is too large and bready, I just ate unsauced meat off the bun.

Ms T had pulled pork on her sandwich.  She prefers to eat her barbecue with sauce.  Simply put, you do not want to eat Smoque's sauce.  Neither the spicy nor the mild were worth bothering with.  So she did not enjoy eating the pork.  She felt it was not very smoky and without sauce, well..... live by the sauce, die by the sauce.  

KT and BS were given a free sample of both sliced and chopped brisket because the nice guy preparing their order thought they should have some with their rack.  He unfortunately put sauce on the sliced portion, so it was hard for me to really evaluate the sliced brisket for flavor.  It was moist, good bark, not as smoky as it looks.  I would say above average for the Midwest.  Just don't let them sauce anything for you, but that is my policy anyway, regardless of the place and the sauce.

The sausage was OK.  It was almost more like a Polish sausage than what I associate with barbecue.  It had more garlic, was denser in texture and was not smoked a lot.  I can't help but compare it to what I have had in Texas.

Sides were indifferent.  We did not touch the slaw due to the significant dose of red onion.  We would not have ordered it if we had known.  I am the only one who liked the baked, thick style mac and cheese.  I prefer this to the Kraft Velveeta kind.  This was made with actual cheese, so consequently it was a little grainy.  That happens.  I also liked the corn bread.  It was pretty sweet with some sweet corn kernals.

All in all I am having a difficult time rating Smoque.  It is definitely a "thing" and overrated by barbecue starved Chicagoans, but that does not make it bad.  Ms T would not return while I would, but hopefully on a night with no significant wait.  I would try ribs again and see if over cooking is systematic.  I would order chopped brisket as a platter.  I don't know what sides I would get.  It breaks my heart to not be able to get onion free slaw.  OK, I made up my mind, the slaw tipped the balance to three stars.  I really would go 3-1/2 if I could.

• 

  Full Rack of ribs, quite overdone. That bone should not show like that.

  Full Rack of ribs, quite overdone. That bone should not show like that.
• 

  Half rack of back ribs

  Half rack of back ribs
• 

  Chopped brisket and pulled pork sandwiches

  Chopped brisket and pulled pork sandwiches
• See all photos from Jon T. for Smoque BBQ

6/12/2015

Smoque is so tasty! I always get the chicken platter with beans and corn bread. The beans are get an A+. The cornbread gets an A- (its very good, but not the best I've ever had)

The chicken gets an A+++ though! So juice and tasty. I don't even put any sauce on it! It does get very crowded though so be prepared to wait or take it to go on a busy night! Its also byob so grab a 6 pack and enjoy the deliciousness

7/31/2015

All I have to say is brisket and bread pudding omg food coma and there Mac and cheese its little for a reason very rich

4/2/2015

I had the half brisket sandwich, a quarter slab of the St. Louis ribs, and baked beans. I love that they give you two kinds of BBQ sauce. The brisket had delicious bark on it though the meat was a tad dry. The ribs were simply heavenly. My friend ordered several sides and they were all yummy; the peach cobbler was great. I would definitely come back if I visit Chicago again.

• 

  Half brisket sandwich and quarter pound St. Louis ribs.

  Half brisket sandwich and quarter pound St. Louis ribs.

6/20/2015

I went here based on them being on Triple D. They did not disappoint! The process is pretty different than other restaurants, well at least in LA. First, order and pay at the counter, next a waiter has a table ready for your party. It was pretty crowded, but after ordering, I didn't wait at all for a table. The food was only a few minutes.

I had the sliced Brisket platter with two sides, Mac and Cheese and Fries. The lady at the counter said those were the two most popular. I also had the bread pudding. The Brisket was divine. It was good with the thinner of the two BBQ sauces. Although, mind not to use too much. The meat needs to carry the flavor. The Mac and cheese was really good with a nice crust on top. The fries were not bad. Perhaps because I had so much food they didn't stand out. The slaw was good, but I could eat much of it because I wanted to save room for the Bread Pudding. It was more bread than pudding, but it was incredible! This is a must try.

They are strictly BYOB. Something I haven't seen before, being from California. I don't think you can do that there.

Overall, this place shouldn't be missed, you know if Guy likes it, it's gotta be good!

3/4/2015

Ehh. I don't know what all the fuss it about. I thought the food, flavor wise was mediocre.

here are the items I tried:

Ribs (I asked for saint louis, they served baby back. I found them to be under seasoned)
chicken (remarkably tender, but lacking in salt)
brisket chill (pretty good)
Spicy and regular bbq sauce (neither one of them were particularly good)
French Fries (DELICIOUS)
Mac & Cheese (ehh)
Corn Bread (I would put my money on this being a jazzed up off brand jiffy)
Peach Cobbler (topping good, peaches, however, were not good AT ALL)
Slaw (GOOD. the vinegar sauce was great to cut the fattiness of the ribs)

I won't go out of my way to go back, however if someone caters them for an event I wouldn't necessarily avoid.

5/14/2015

This is our go-to BBQ joint. There is no other.

Since it's BYOB, my husband and I stopped at a liquor store on the way. I ran in and picked up a 6 pack of beer and a nice Mexican guy came up to me and asked me if he could buy it for me...after this moral dilemma, we were on our way to Smoque. So excited. So very very hungry.

We got here on a weeknight a little after 6pm and were prepared to wait in line until we had experienced many emotions ranging from excitement, to indifference, to frustration, to near starvation, to murderous rage, satisfaction, forgiveness, and everything in between, but we only had to wait a whopping 5 minutes before placing our order. I love that the menu is written on a chalkboard so you can decide what you want while you wait in line. We both got the brisket platter with the BBQ beans, fries,  and mac n' cheese. Both of our meals came with a side of cole slaw.

Can I just talk about the mac n' cheese for a sec, because that mac n' cheese is so damn good I just want to roll around naked in it and now they offer a large size which makes me so happy because inside my soul, I'm just a fat kid.

We sat and proceeded to devour our meal like rabid hyenas. I couldn't finish my platter so my husband took over. He had a hard time finishing as well. The brisket was so tender, so juicy, so succulent, so sexy! We sat there drinking the last of our beer while he stood, raised his beer and declared Smoque, the best brisket in Chicago. I stood and concurred. Everyone cheered and clapped. In one swift movement, he swooped me up into his arms and  we exited and walked down Pulaski with BBQ sauce on our faces.

The wait time totally depends. Sometimes we've gone there and waited only 5 minutes. Sometimes we've waited 20 and it can feel like a mosh pit in there and everywhere you stand, you're always in someone else's way. They seem to have their own system down to make the line move as fast and smoothly as possible and it appears to be working well for them. They don't have the proper license so you can't BYOB and sit outside

7/27/2015

Very unassuming as you drive by, except perhaps for the line out the door and down the street of people waiting for delicious BBQ.  Excellent comfort food, with the sides just as tasty as the main dishes.

3/26/2015

I am officially obsessed with this place. It's crowded on weekends, but not on weekdays! Weekday afternoons are definitely the best time to go if you want no lines and no waiting. I also must say that the lines during the busy times look long, but the wait time is never really that bad (and the food is DEFINITELY worth the wait!). Helpful hosts/bussers clear you a table while you wait in line to order, and once you've placed your order you'll have a place to sit (usually, depending on how busy it is).

All of the food is amazing but the Mac and cheese is amazing x 100000. It's just so great there are no words that can accurately describe its greatness. Also, I know it sounds basic, but the french fries are also awesome and perfect.

There is free parking in the back after 5:30. It's cool that they give you sauces from different types of bbq (Memphis, Carolina, etc.). If you haven't been here, you really HAVE to go, they definitely have the best bbq in Chicago hands down.

• 

  Mac & cheese, fries, chicken, slaw, and a chopped brisket sandwich.

  Mac & cheese, fries, chicken, slaw, and a chopped brisket sandwich.

8/4/2015

I'm not big on barbeque, but this place was great. I had the pulled pork sandwich, the corn bread, the mac 'n' cheese and the peach cobbler. it was fantastic! I was surprised at how quickly the place filled up. a line started to wrap around the outer exterior of the restaurant. if you've made plans to eat at Smoque and are anticipating yourself being hungry in an hour, I would suggest leaving for the restaurant then because there is a bit of a wait and after the wait you'll be famished.

5/26/2015

So we got here around 730 on a Friday and there was already a line out the door, though it did move fairly quickly I think or maybe not I'm not sure I was a little faint with hunger. Unfortunately right when we got to the front of the line we were notified that they were out of brisket... Womp womp. So instead I got the rib combo which was one rack of the baby back and one rack of the St. Louis. I got the side of fries and a side of the brisket chili and a side of slaw. The ribs overalls were pretty good though I preferred the St. Louis ribs a lot more than the baby backs. The fries were pretty solid but the chili was just kinda meh. The slaw was really good though, not mayo based which I prefer and the vinegary kick was a good contrast to the pork. Definitely coming back here again and earlier to get the brisket next time and maybe a little bit of the St. Louis ribs.

2/14/2015

Amazing fall off the bone BBQ!!!
In Chicago for the weekend and heard about this place from the locals and it truly lived up to the hype.  Love that it is a local mom and pop neighborhood restaurant with great service and food.  I had the 1/2 baby back 1/2 st Luis rib combo and it was great!  Highly recommend!

• 

  Ordering and dining area

  Ordering and dining area
• 

  Rick combo have St. Louis have to be back

  Rick combo have St. Louis have to be back

5/30/2015

Amazing! Pulled pork was great and the service was even better. My friend and I had never had brisket before and we asked  one of the employees what it was; he brought us a whole small cup full to sample while we were waiting. Nice atmosphere too- small place but they keep everything organized. Def recommend if you are looking for some good BBQ!

• 

  Pulled pork sandwich :)

  Pulled pork sandwich :)

6/11/2015

Very good local BBQ. Not quite where you'd expect to find highly acceptable smoked meats, but here we are!

I had the Texas links and St. Louis ribs. Links were just slightly tough to cut into with plastic cutlery, but excellent and reasonably lean. The St. Louis ribs had an almost cinnamon like flavor with the dry rub. I also tried the chopped brisket and pulled pork--I think I'll try those next time...

Each meal is served with a side of Cole slaw, which I found only average. It was vinegar based but practically tasted like simply vinegar and cabbage. It was fresh tasting however. The corn bread is great, so was the Mac and cheese.

For dessert, the bread pudding was top notch. My wife had the peach cobbler which was good, but mine was better.

Places like this scream for a cold beer, but alas none available. This is a demerit. Signs posted outside on the patio (where we ate) stated no liquor allowed, which surprised me as I thought I read the place was BYOB. Still--free soda/tea refills. I'd definitely come back for the good food.

7/19/2015

I live close by and have seen all the brouhaha that goes on outside, so I've saved off several years before attempting. I went last night on a Saturday night, and although there was a line it was not as serious as summers past. I don't eat pork so I can't speak to the whole menu. I ordered chopped Brisket wish was good but a bit on the dry side, I find that all BBQ that I've  had is well....dry, but this was better than most. I find the sauces and beans are WAYYYY too sweet for my taste. the one thing I enjoyed the most (although sweet) was these free containers of sweet pickled Jalapeño peppers YUM! All in all It's o.k.

6/15/2015

With nearly 3000 reviews this won't matter much but, I'm a fan.  The food is good, the atmosphere is bustling and the staff is nice.  What more could one want?  Ooh yeah, parking.

Parking is a real problem.  We got orders to go having to park semi-legally a couple of blocks away.  If dining in, boy, be prepared to walk unless you happen to get very very lucky and get a space in their very small lot.

My recommendation is to go with another licensed driver and have them drop you off and drive around until you exit with the take-away.  It's worth it.

BTW, it's not Angelo's (Ft. Worth, TX) but then again, where is?

6/29/2015

Pros: Pulled pork melted in my mouth.

Cons: N / A

Final Verdict: Highly Recommend

2/22/2015

Yummm. All I have to say. You walk in and it's a bit small but packed and the turnover is perfect. People leave people sit. Now to the food...

The menu is small, but everything is tasty. I ordered a half slab of the baby back ribs and a half pound of brisket. They came with a side of cole slaw, Mac and cheese and brisket chilli.

The ribs were fantastic, juicy and smoked just perfect plus they fell right off the bone. The brisket...amazing. 5 stars alone! The sides on the other hand nothing to write home about for such a delicious menu.

The sauces are wonderful. I recommend the spicy Memphis.

• 

  Table full of ribs

  Table full of ribs
• 

  Full slab

  Full slab
• 
• See all photos from Mark M. for Smoque BBQ